Leander Storm Season Roof Checklist
A storm season roof checklist for Leander comes down to three jobs: get the roof checked and gutters cleared in February or early March, take dated “before” photos, then check from the ground after every storm from March through June and again in September and October. Fix small problems before spring hail turns them into leaks.
Below is the full storm season roof checklist we’d give a neighbor in ZIP 78641: before the season, the day of a warning, the morning after, and what to do if you find damage. Print it, or save it to your phone.
When Is Storm Season in Leander?
Hail season in Leander runs mainly March through June, with a smaller run in September and October. StormerSite has logged 105 hail reports within 10 miles of Leander since 2004, and 73 of them came in April or May. That is why our storm season roof checklist starts in late winter.
| When | What usually happens in Leander | Checklist focus |
|---|---|---|
| December to February | Occasional ice; Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, ice storm in February 2023 | Trees, attic, pre-season inspection |
| March | Hail season starts (7 reports since 2004) | Gutters, photos, documents |
| April and May | Peak hail (73 of 105 reports) | Check after every warning |
| June | Tapering off (8 reports) | Final spring check |
| July and August | Heat, about 93 days a year above 90°F | Ventilation, sun-cracked pipe boots |
| September and October | Second, smaller hail run (14 reports) | Check after storms |
Recent seasons show how fast it can turn. On May 16, 2025, hail up to 3 inches fell in north and central Leander.
Twelve days later, on May 28, golf-ball-size hail was reported near Leander and Cedar Park. See our Leander hail history for more dates.
How to Prepare Your Roof for Hail Season (February to March)
This is the part of the storm season roof checklist that saves the most trouble. Do it before the first spring line of storms crosses Williamson County.
Before-season storm season roof checklist
- Book a roof inspection. Have a roofer check shingles, flashing, pipe boots and the attic, with dated photos. See our roof inspection in Leander page.
- Fix small problems now. Cracked pipe boots, lifted shingles and caulk-only flashing are small fixes that head off a spring leak. Pipe boots commonly crack on 8 to 15-year-old roofs.
- Clean gutters and valleys. Leaves and twigs block water and hold moisture against the roof edge.
- Trim trees. Cut back limbs that touch or hang over the roof. Crystal Falls has many mature live oaks, and their limbs and leaves land in valleys.
- Check downspouts. Make sure they drain away from the foundation and aren’t crushed.
- Secure loose items. Patio furniture, trampolines and grills can become missiles in a squall line.
- Take “before” photos. Photograph each side of the house, the roof from the ground, gutters, vents and the AC unit, with dates.
Storm season roof checklist for your documents
An insurance claim is easier when you can find everything in five minutes. Put these in one folder, on paper and in the cloud:
- Your homeowners policy and declarations page
- Your wind and hail deductible, written down (many Texas policies use 1% to 3% of the dwelling value)
- Your agent’s and insurer’s claim phone numbers
- Your roof’s install date, shingle brand and any warranty papers
- The “before” photos from step 7
Read your declarations page now, while nothing is wrong. Your policy, not your roofer, decides what is covered, so ask your agent if anything is unclear. Our Texas roof insurance claims guide explains the terms.
The Day of a Storm Warning
When a severe thunderstorm warning hits your phone, the storm season roof checklist is short:
- Park cars in the garage or under cover.
- Bring in or tie down patio furniture.
- Close blinds on windows facing the storm.
- Stay inside and away from windows until it passes.
- Note the time hail starts and its rough size, if you can see it safely.
The National Weather Service treats hail 1 inch across, about the size of a quarter, as severe. If you see quarter-size or larger hail at your house, plan on a closer look at the roof.
After Storm Roof Checklist: The Next Morning
This after storm roof checklist is what we’d do on our own homes. Stay on the ground; a wet roof is no place to be.
- Walk around the whole house. Wind drives hail sideways, so check every side.
- Look at gutters and downspouts for fresh, shiny dents.
- Check downspout outlets for piles of shingle granules.
- Look at the AC unit fins, window screens and wood trim for dents and spatter marks.
- Use binoculars on vents and ridge caps, where hail hits are easiest to see.
- Look for missing shingles, lifted tabs or a limb on the roof.
- Check ceilings and the attic, then again over the next few days.
- Take dated photos of everything, including hailstones next to a coin or ruler.
- Save the date. Write down the storm date and time; insurers ask for the date of loss.
For a full list of what to look for, see our guide to signs of hail damage.
Storm Season Roof Checklist If You Find Damage
Finding damage is not the time to rush. Follow this order.
If water is coming in
Move belongings, catch drips and get the area tarped, with a written estimate before any tarp goes on. Tarps generally last only about 90 days, so treat one as a stopgap. Our emergency roof repair page covers what to expect.
If there is damage but no leak
Get an inspection with dated photos and a written estimate. Compare the estimate with your wind and hail deductible, then decide whether to file. Report damage promptly, within your policy’s notice rules.
Watch out for door knockers
After big storms, the Leander Neighbors Facebook group regularly has posts warning about door-to-door roof solicitors. We don’t door-knock.
Under Texas law, a roofer can’t negotiate your claim (Insurance Code 4102.163) and can’t waive or absorb your deductible (Business and Commerce Code 27.02). The Texas Department of Insurance explains both rules, and our guide on how to choose a roofer lists more red flags.
End of Season: June and October
Your storm season roof checklist doesn’t end with the last spring storm. In June and again after the fall run, do a quick review:
- Look at the roof from the ground one more time.
- Clean gutters again, especially under oaks in Crystal Falls and Old Town Leander.
- Book any repairs you put off during the busy weeks.
- Update your photo folder with new dated pictures.
- Note which storms hit your street this year.
Summer brings its own stress. With about 93 days a year above 90°F, heat bakes shingles and dries out rubber pipe boots. A roof that made it through May still needs attention before September.
Storm Season Roof Checklist at a Glance
Here is the whole storm season roof checklist on one screen. Screenshot it and keep it with your policy papers.
| When | Do this | Done? |
|---|---|---|
| February or early March | Roof and attic inspection with dated photos | |
| February or early March | Fix pipe boots, lifted shingles, caulked flashing | |
| February or early March | Clean gutters and valleys; trim limbs | |
| February or early March | Policy, deductible and roof records in one folder | |
| Day of a warning | Cars covered, patio items secured, note hail time and size | |
| Morning after | Walk-around, gutters, AC fins, vents, ceilings, photos | |
| If damaged | Tarp with written estimate, inspection, written estimate | |
| June and October | Ground check, gutters, put-off repairs, new photos |
A storm season roof checklist only works if you repeat it. One inspection in March does not cover a hailstorm in May, so do the morning-after steps every time.
Leander Neighborhood Notes for Storm Season
Every street is different, but a few patterns shape a storm season roof checklist across Leander:
- Crystal Falls and Old Town Leander: Mature trees mean more limbs and debris in valleys and gutters.
- Bryson, Travisso and Mason Hills: Many newer two-story homes; use binoculars because you can’t see the top slopes from the yard. HOAs usually want approval for color or material changes, though like-for-like repairs often don’t need it.
- Deerbrooke, Carneros Ranch and North Creek Ranch: All near reports of golf-ball-size or larger hail on May 16, 2025.
Storm Season Roof Checklist Questions
When should I start my storm season roof checklist in Leander?
Start in February or early March, before hail season. That gives time for an inspection, small repairs and gutter cleaning before the April and May peak, when 73 of the 105 Leander-area hail reports since 2004 occurred.
How do I prepare my roof for hail season?
Get a roof inspection, fix small issues like cracked pipe boots, clean gutters and trim overhanging limbs. Take dated photos of the roof and gutters, and keep your policy and deductible handy. No shingle is hail-proof, but a sound roof handles storms better.
What should be on an after storm roof checklist?
Walk around the house and check gutters, downspouts, AC fins, screens, vents and ridge caps for dents. Look for granule piles, missing shingles and ceiling stains. Take dated photos and write down the storm date.
Should I get on my roof after a storm?
No. Wet and damaged roofs are slippery, and walking on them can cause scuffs that confuse an inspection. Check from the ground with binoculars and call a roofer for a closer look.
Do I need to call my insurance company after every storm?
Not after every storm, but report damage promptly when you find it, following your policy’s notice rules. An inspection and written estimate help you compare the damage with your deductible first. Check your declarations page or ask your agent about your policy’s terms.
Talk to a Leander Roofer
Want your roof checked before next spring or after the last storm? Call Leander Roof Repair at (512) 254-8474 for dated photos and a written estimate before any work.
